Following a lackluster performance in the Champions League, league leader Real Madrid faces Celta Vigo in a crucial Spanish league match

Courtesy of Real Madrid's instagram

Real Madrid, currently leading the Spanish league, is set to host Celta Vigo on Sunday, seeking to rebound from a subpar display in the Champions League against Leipzig. The team faced criticism from the home crowd at Santiago Bernabeu Stadium after being held to a 1-1 draw, advancing to the quarterfinals solely due to its 1-0 win in the first leg in Germany.

Coach Carlo Ancelotti acknowledged the deserved criticism and expressed disappointment in the team's performance against Leipzig. Madrid drew four of its last seven matches in all competitions, emphasizing the need for improvement.

Ancelotti considered potential mistakes in the lineup and acknowledged the team's lack of intensity and energy. Madrid failed to register a shot on target in the first half against Leipzig, prompting concerns about its form. 

▲ Courtesy of Real Madrid's instagramThe coach mentioned the team's apparent fatigue and highlighted the upcoming international break as an opportunity for players to recover mentally. Ancelotti also mentioned the expected return of injured players, including goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois and central defender Éder Militão.

Jude Bellingham will miss the next two league matches due to a red-card suspension, although the club aimed to appeal for a reduction to one game.

Despite recent challenges, Ancelotti emphasized Real Madrid's advantageous position in the Spanish league, holding a seven-point lead over Girona with 11 matches remaining.

“We’re in a better position than ever because we’re seven points clear in the league and we are in the quarterfinals of the Champions League,” Ancelotti stated. “If I’d been told this at the beginning of the season, I’d have taken it.”

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